Jim Rutherford, President and General Manager of the National Hockey League’s Carolina Hurricanes, announced today that the team has recalled forward Zach Boychuk from Charlotte of the American Hockey League (AHL). In addition, the team placed forward Jiri Tlusty on injured reserve after he underwent an emergency appendectomy on Tuesday. Tlusty is expected to miss two to three weeks of action.

This marks the second NHL recall of the season for Boychuk, 24, who earned an assist during his only NHL game this season, a 5-3 Carolina victory against San Jose on Dec. 6. The Airdrie, Alb., native has appeared in 29 games with Charlotte this season, and leads the Checkers in goals (14) and points (27). Boychuk (5’10”, 185 lbs.), currently ranks first in the AHL in power-play goals (10) and tied for first in the league in power-play points (16). He has netted 12 goals in his last 16 games – the most goals in the AHL during that time period. Carolina’s first-round selection, 14th overall, in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, Boychuk has totaled eight goals and 13 assists (21 points) in 86 career NHL games with Carolina, Pittsburgh and Nashville.